Peach tree named ‘Supechtwentysix’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, Prunus persica, cv. ‘Supechtwentysix’ is characterized by early ripening, large-size fruit, having medium brix, melting flesh, medium adherence of the stone to the flesh, and a large percentage of over-color.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘SUPECHTWENTYSIX’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a newand distinct variety of peach, Prunus persica cv. ‘Supechtwentysix’. Thevariety ‘Supechtwentysix’ was originated by hybridization and was firstselected in May 2012 by Terry Bacon as breeder number: ‘PE1479’. The newvariety was first evaluated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Calif. in KernCounty.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ is characterized by having earlyripening, large-size fruit, with medium brix, melting flesh, mediumadherence of the stone to the flesh, and a large percentage ofover-color.

The seed parent is ‘PE226’ (unpatented breeding selection), and thepollen parent is unknown (open pollination). The parent varieties werefirst crossed in February 2008, with the date of sowing being February2009, and the date of first flowering being February 2011. The new peachvariety ‘Supechtwentysix’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Baconnear Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in February 2014 by dormant grafting.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ is distinguished from its seed parent,‘PE226’, in that harvest of the fruit of the new variety starts abouttwenty days later than for ‘PE226’ and the fruit diameter of the newvariety ‘Supechtwentysix’ is larger at 82 mm compared to 69 mm for‘PE226’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ ripens about the sametime as ‘Brittney Lane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,286). However, the fruitof the new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has a diameter of 82 mm compared tothe diameter of the fruit of ‘Brittney Lane’ of 78 mm. Further, the newvariety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has a larger fruit weight at 270 g compared to230 g for ‘Brittney Lane’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ ripens about 17 dayslater than ‘Supechtwentyone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,773). Additionally,the fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has a diameter of 82 mmcompared to a diameter of 74 mm for the fruit of ‘Supechtwentyone’.Further, the new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has a larger fruit weight at270 g compared to 198 g for the fruit of ‘Supechtwentyone’.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ ripens about 34 days later than‘Supechfifteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,177). Additionally, the fruit ofthe new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has a larger fruit weight at 270 gcompared to 200 g for ‘Supechfifteen’. The new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’has a higher degree of over-color at 95+% compared to 80% for the fruitof ‘Supechfifteen’

The new variety ‘Supechtwentysix’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, cuttings and grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the peach variety ‘Supechtwentysix’. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves andexterior and sectional views of the fruit. The photographic illustrationwas taken shortly after the fruit was picked and the colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3-year-old‘Supechtwentysix’ trees grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County,Calif., during 2019, and is believed to apply to plants of the varietygrown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on 3-year-old trees unless otherwise    noted.).    -   -   Size.—Medium. Reaches a height of approximately 3 meters            with normal pruning.        -   Vigor.—Strong. Top shoot growth of about 1.5 meters during            the first growing season.        -   Growth.—Semi-upright.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California;            winter chilling requirement is approximately 200 hours at or            below 7.2° C.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing for            relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been            undertaken. Under close observation in Kern County, Calif.,            no particular plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility            has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements taken at approximately 30 cm above the soil    line.).    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 20 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with the age of the tree.        -   Trunk color.—About Light Greyed-Green 198D with highlights            of Medium Greyed-Red 182B, becoming darker with age.-   Branches: (Measurements taken at approximately 90 cm above the soil    line.).    -   -   Size.—Approximately 11 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy; increasing with tree age.        -   Color.—About Light Grey 201D with highlights of Medium            Greyed-Red 182B, becoming darker with age.        -   Lenticels density.—Plentiful, approximately 1-3 per cm².        -   Lenticels color.—About Light Grey 201D.        -   Lenticels length.—Approximately 5 mm.        -   Lenticels width.—Approximately 1.2 mm.-   One year old shoots: (Data taken in May at midpoint of    current-season growth.).    -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.        -   Color.—Topside: About Medium Yellow-Green 146C. Underside:            About Medium Yellow-Green 146C.        -   Internode length.—Medium; approximately 2-3 cm.        -   Lenticels and density.—Plentiful; about 8 per cm².        -   Color.—About Light Grey 201D.        -   Lenticel dimensions.—Width: Approximately 0.1 mm. Length:            Approximately 1 mm.        -   Presence of anthocyanin coloration.—Present.        -   Intensity of anthocyanin on upper side of shoots.—Medium.        -   Density of flower buds.—Medium, two per node.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in May on fully expanded leaves at midpoint of    current-season growth).    -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 13 cm without petiole.        -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 3.6 cm.        -   Length:        -   Width ratio.—Medium; about 3.6:1.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: About Dark Green 139A. Lower Surface:            About Medium Green 138B.        -   Angle at base.—Acute.        -   Angle at apex.—Acute, small.        -   Vein color.—About Light Green 139D.        -   Presence of red coloration of mid-vein on the lower            side.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth on both top and bottom surfaces.        -   Shape in the cross section.—Flat.        -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.        -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.        -   Margin.—Crenate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 9 mm.        -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 139C.-   Stipules:    -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Usually 2.        -   Typical length.—Medium; approximately 11 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A when dried.        -   Persistence.—Falls off.-   Leaf glands (nectaries):    -   -   Form.—Globose.        -   Average number and arrangement.—Usually 2-4, alternating.            Predominately on petiole.        -   Dimension.—Approximately 1 mm long by 1 mm wide.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Yellow 162A, becoming Dark            Greyed-Orange 166A over time.-   Vegetative buds (data taken in September at midpoint of    current-season growth):    -   -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 5 mm long by 2.5 mm wide.        -   Bud shape.—Conical.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 3 mm long by 2 mm wide.        -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A.        -   Ratio of flower buds to vegetative buds.—2 flower buds:1            vegetative bud.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   Type of bloom.—Non-showy.        -   Diameter of fully opened flower.—Approximately 28 mm.        -   Flower aroma.—Slight aroma.        -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early, with bloom.        -   Flower blooming period.—First Bloom: Approximately            February 6. Full Bloom: Approximately February 10.        -   Time of bloom.—Early.        -   Location of first bloom.—Tips of one-year-old shoots.        -   Location of full bloom.—Central part of the tree canopy.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Dimensions.—Approximately 3 mm long by 2 mm wide.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 138B.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Shape.—Medium ovate.        -   Position.—Adpressed to petals.        -   Length.—Approximately 5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Purple 184A.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Touching.        -   Color.—About Light Pink 54D.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 13 mm long by 7 mm wide.        -   Shape.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Undulation of margins.—Medium.        -   Width.—Medium, approximately 7 mm.        -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—Never.        -   Claw.—Partially developed.-   Stigma:    -   -   Position compared to anthers.—Above.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—About 40.        -   Length.—Variable, ranging from 7 mm to 10 mm.        -   Filament color.—About White 155A with highlights of Light            Pink 54D.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Flower pollen color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 166C.        -   Position compared to petals.—At the same level.-   Anthers:    -   -   Pollen.—Present.-   Pistil:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 17 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few.-   Receptacle:    -   -   Depth.—Medium; about 4 mm.        -   Pubescence of inner surface (at pink bud stage).—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Present.-   Ovary:    -   -   Pubescence.—Present.

FRUIT

-   General: (Description taken at firm-mature near Wasco, Kern County,    Calif.).    -   -   Date of first pick.—Approximately June 1.        -   Date of last pick.—Approximately June 10.        -   Time of maturity for consumption.—Early.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Dimensions.—Approximately 7 mm long by 3 mm wide.        -   Color.—About Light Green 139D.-   Fruit size:    -   -   Size.—Large; about 270 g.        -   Height.—Tall; about 74 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture.—Approximately 81 mm.        -   Diameter ventral side, facing suture.—Approximately 82 mm.-   Fruit shape:    -   -   Shape viewed from apex.—Circular.        -   Shape in lateral view, perpendicular to suture.—Circular.        -   Shape ventral side, facing suture.—Circular.        -   Symmetry viewed from pistil end.—Symmetric or slightly            asymmetric.        -   Shape of pistil end.—Slightly depressed.        -   Mucron tip at pistil end.—Occasionally present.        -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Medium; about 8 mm.        -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium; about 7 mm.        -   Promenence of suture.—Weak or flat.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Medium.        -   Taste.—Neutral.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Reticulation.—Absent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Pubescence.—Slight.        -   Density of pubescence of skin.—Medium.        -   Ground color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 16B.        -   Relative area of overcolor.—Very large (about 95+%).        -   Overcolor color (hue) of skin.—About Medium Red 46B to Dark            Red 46A.        -   Pattern of overcolor of skin.—Solid flush.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Color.—About Medium Yellow 14C.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh next to skin.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh in central part of            flesh.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh around stone.—Weak.        -   Flavor.—Sweet mild.        -   Firmness.—Firm; typically 10 lb pressure at harvest.        -   Juice.—Medium; able to squeeze free juice easily.        -   Acidity.—Medium; 0.87% titratable.        -   Sweetness.—Medium; about 12% brix at harvest.        -   Flesh type.—Melting.        -   Amount of fiber.—Moderate.-   Stone:    -   -   Stone size.—Medium. Size compared to Fruit: Medium. Length:            Approximately 27 mm. Diameter Facing Suture: Approximately            20 mm. Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately            26 mm.        -   Stone color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 161B when dried.        -   Anthocyanin color.—Absent.        -   Intensity of brown color.—Light.        -   Position of maximum.—Middle.        -   Shape in lateral view perpendicular to suture.—Circular.        -   Shape in ventral view facing suture.—Medium elliptic.        -   Shape in basal view.—Medium elliptic.        -   Base shape.—Nearly straight.        -   Apex shape.—Slight point at tip.        -   Ridges.—Rounded throughout.        -   Outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.        -   Fibers.—Not visible.        -   Symmetry in lateral view.—Symmetric or slightly asymmetric.        -   Relief of surface.—Predominately pits.        -   Width of stalk end.—Narrow.        -   Tendency to split.—Low.        -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Strong.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree asherein described and illustrated.